Top Admiral Who Said Attacking Iran 'Will Not Happen on my Watch,' Splits with * on Occupying Iraq

[babylonsister]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_michael__070909_top_admiral_who_said.htm

Top Admiral Who Said Attacking Iran 'Will Not Happen on my Watch,' Splits with Bush on Occupying Iraq

by Michael Leon


As the current policy desires of the American people bear no weight with George W. Bush, the hope of millions of Americans is the spectacular emergence of an unimpeachable administration insider blowing the lid off the Bush scam in Iraq so convincingly that another war with Iran is halted and Democrats in congress are infused with a spinal column on the existing war with Iraq—the human embodiment of the Pentagon Papers, Daniel Ellsberg, Joe Wilson and the retired Generals who have blasted the administration all rolled into one.

This hope is naïve of-course; no one is unimpeachable to the amoral Bush administration, and the career inducements for going along with Bush’s insane ploys prove irresistible for war planners and for those who simply know better.

But human decisions matter, no matter the anti-democratic ethos of the Bush administration and indeed the entire Republican Party.

The Washington Post fronts a report this morning chronicling a split in the administration involving Adm. William J. Fallon, chief of the U.S. Central Command overseeing Middle East operations, and the administration’s newest frontman, Gen. David H. Petraeus, whose White House-authored report delivered to Congress can be expected to be, if not laughed out of Washington, met with great skepticism and ridicule, though this incredulity won’t lead to much congressional action to halt the policy so disbelieved.

The page one, 3,639-word Post piece quotes on very deep background one administration official’s description of the schism between General Petraeus and Adm. Fallon as follows:

"Bad relations?" said a senior civilian official with a laugh. "That's the understatement of the century. . . . If you think Armageddon was a riot, that's one way of looking at it."

As the administration attempts another bald-faced, lying PR campaign to continue the Iraq occupation and apparently plans for a military engagement with Iran, it’s worth noting Adm. Fallon’s reported words this February on striking the politically and militarily powerful Iran: An attack on Iran "will not happen on my watch".

Could Fallon be the ultimate insider that millions of Americans wish for who would blow the lid off the administration’s lies?

Maybe Colin Powell will discover that moral courage over career is the honorable course.

One can hope.

WaPo article here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1767314

[The Wielding Truth]

1. I don't see the military going along with this administration

too much longer. They have the means to stop this insanity.They don't work well under incompetence, deceit and immorality. Thank goodness. The generals have been living on promises and out and out lies, and they will not take much more. They will set this country back on the right tract. They know how bad corrupt dictatorships are, and they will deal with what is happening to our democracy.

[eagler]

4. they don't have a choice

[The Wielding Truth]

5. The top guys do. Once they decide how, it will be done.

They control everything and are much smarter than the corporate pimps who are trashing our government. There is still integrity in the highest ranks of government.

[eagler]

10. Up to this point anyone who has went against this administration

has been dissed.

[krispos42]

2. A domino effect of mass resignations..

may be the only thing keeping us out of Iran. I can imagine the order being given in some briefing room, and a general resigning. Then another general. Then a third general. Then they have to search around for the next person in charge. Bush picking up a phone and screaming "Find me somebody to carry out my orders!!!!", with only a deafening silence in response.

[Poiuyt]

3. I had thought that Fallon was named head of Mid-East operations because he would

attack Iran. Bush doesn't usually appoint people who are not yes-men.

[spag68]

6. Why has Powell disappeared any way?

They must have some bad dirt on him, to stay disgraced like he has.

[Gregorian]

7. America is too valuable to sacrifice to a frat prankster and his merry gang of criminals.

I have been waiting for this moment. I have seriously doubted any free pass to invade another country. I just wondered how it would be countered. The military isn't going to stand for much more. I'm surprised they took this much. I guess speaking up is tantamount to retiring.

[AndyTiedye]

8. Thank You Admiral Fallon, May Your Watch be a Long One

though I fear it may end quite soon. Bush** does not tolerate any disagreement with his policies.

[Disturbed]

9. Admiral Falon will retire real soon.

He will announce that he wants to spend more time with his family.